74 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 2 , 18S2. 
anemometers, and ozonometers, the President referred to daily maps 
of Atlantic weather, which should be on a scale of not less than an 
inch for one hundred miles. A compilation of such charts is 
essentially national work, and falls wholly within the domain of the 
government office. After referring to weather forecasts, the lack of 
original workers in discussing meteorological observations, and the 
absence of academical encouragement, and the little prospect of 
those who devote themselves to meteorology obtaining more than a 
hare livelihood, the President concluded as follows—“ It is just 
possible that the severe manner in which I have criticised a few of 
our existing arrangements may have led someone to consider that 
meteorology is languishing, feeble, or even moribund. I believe that 
the very contrary is the fact. When a case is weak, one hesitates to 
point out its weaknesses for fear of a total collapse. NO. The 
Meteorological Society never advanced so rapidly in numbers as it has 
in the two last years ; and if it will but apply the pruning knife fo 
fruitless observations, and try to secure the application of more brain 
power to the many problems yet unsolved, it will continue to receive 
an ever-increasing amount of recognition and support, and to main¬ 
tain that high position among kindred societies which it at present 
holds.” 
FRUITS IN 1881. 
The year 1881 will be remembered as a season when most kinds 
of fruits were very abundant, but the quality as a rule was much 
below the average of many former years. This is not confined to 
one kind of fruit. Grapes, Pine Apples, Pears, Plums, and Apples 
were generally of a very moderate character. My knowledge of 
this was gained at home; at the Manchester International, and 
other important show’s ; also from what I hare read, and by 
private correspondence as well. 
At the Manchester Show, which was the greatest event of 1881, 
fruit was considered very good, but, collectively oi individually 
nothing of unprecedented merit was to be found. Indeed the 
whole gave rise to the idea that good table fruit was more the 
object than sensational exhibition productions, and this may be 
regarded as very satisfactory. Early and midseason Grapes 
ripened well, but late Grapes failed in many instances to gain 
that finish which is more desirable and requisite with them than 
any others. The result is that late Grapes have not kept well. 
The one fact pointed out most distinctly by such immaturity is 
that an earlier start in spring w’ould prove of the utmost advan¬ 
tage to late Grapes when the summer is sunless or the autumn 
cold. 
There is another practice which we have been proving prevents 
Grapes keeping well for a long time in winter, and that is 
growing and ripening or colouring them without much fire heat. 
Until the end of September, or into October if the weather be 
favourable, cool-grown Grapes will look well and keep w r ell; but 
after that they need more fire heat to prevent decay than those 
grown in a reasonable temperature all through. Even with a 
great amount of firing it is a hard matter to preserve them in long 
periods of damp weather. We knew this partly before, but the 
latter part of 1881 thoroughly convinced us of it ; and after this, 
although we might be able to colour our Grapes superbly without 
fire heat, we will apply it early, and always as a safeguard 
against losing so many of them through decay. So far as I have 
been able to see, this fact has never been stated in argument 
against those who advocate cool culture and a false saving of 
fuel, but all who are induced to try the system will find such 
results as those indicated condemn it more than anything else. 
In speaking of fruit not keeping well, I may say that Apples 
and Pears did not keep well during November and December. 
The insufficient sun heat to mature them thoroughly was no doubt 
chiefly the cause of this. Probably many late Pears were blown 
down by the gale on October 14th, and although they might look 
sound at the time, their bruises became more visible as they 
ripened. This at least is how we lost I might almost 6ay cartloads, 
and I daresay others w r ere equally unfortunate. 
No Dew fruits of any importance were introduced in 1881, and 
this is not greatly to be regretted, as in most kinds we are 
pretty well supplied, and unless new productions are of a very 
distinct and high character we are better without them. Of 
course time is wanted to prove and bring out qualities ; but unless 
these are prominent to begin with, high hopes may not be fixed 
on ultimate results. While w r e say that no sterling new fruits 
have been given us in the past year, we may also remark that 
none of those t previously introduced have been driven out of 
existence. For instance, hardly a word has been said against 
such Grapes as Golden Champion, Madresfield Court, and Duke 
of Buccleuch ; but Pearson’s Golden Queen has not been so 
fortunate, as many have spoken severely against it ; but with us 
it has become a greater favourite in 1881 than ever ; and we shall 
never forget seeing it at Chilwell under the guidance of our 
respected friend, the late Mr. J. R. Pearson, and proving its good 
qualities. 
Of new systems of growing fruit, nothing in special erections 
and very little in treatment has been advanced. Thus, in re¬ 
viewing the results of the year I fear 1881 was not very event¬ 
ful ; but it is consoling to know that if we have taken few steps 
forward there has been none backward. And if we cannot notice 
anything remarkable, there is yet ample time to make a good 
beginning in 1882 ; and I hope we may all be able to fill many 
instructive pages with a review of our progress at the end of 
another year.—A Kitchen Gardener. 
VINERIES AS PLANT HOUSES IN WINTER. 
“Wistful” (page 52) may realise his vision of having Pelar¬ 
goniums, Azaleas, Heliotropes, and other plants in flower during 
the winter if, after pruning his Vines, he will turn the rods out of 
doors : he may then keep the temperature of his house to any height 
he may require without materially affecting his Vines. The 
system has been practised here for several years with success. 
Had we, however, the convenience for growing the plants re¬ 
quired we should not from choice utilise the vineries for the 
purpose, as the heat kept in the house must have a certain effect 
on the roots of the Vines, but by inserting a thermometer 1 foot 
into the border of a house so treated the temperature will be 
found to vary but very little from a house kept quite cool. At 
the present time in vineries we are forcing Strawberries, Roses, 
and the different varieties of plants required at this season of the 
year. The night temperature ranges from 50° to 60°. There are 
both inside and outside borders, the Vines being tied along the 
front of the house, and the front sashes are fitted into a groove in 
the side. Our first vinery was so treated in November, the Vines 
being kept outside until the first week in January. The house in 
the meantime was used for forcing. In the later houses the Vines 
are kept outside until early in April when the buds show signs of 
moving ; they are then brought inside to receive the usual treat¬ 
ment. Bedding plants are grown underneath, and Strawberries 
on shelves at the back, and by well syringing in bright weather 
we are troubled but very little with red spider. I find the Straw¬ 
berries set better on the vinery shelves than in any other house, 
they are then taken to the stoves for their fruit to swell. Many 
gardeners are no doubt similarly situated to “ Nor’-Easter,” and 
in his words it becomes us all to make the most of the means at 
command.—G. Summers, Sandbcck Park. 
As an incitement to “ Wistful ” (page 52), 1 send the Editor 
some flowers from a vinery kept during the whole of the winter 
as a forcing house ; they represent Pelargoniums, Azaleas, Helio¬ 
tropes, and Roses. Unfortunately twelve hours before the Journal 
reaches this district all the flowers ready to gather had been cut, 
so that those sent are not full-grown specimens. Of the Pelar¬ 
goniums, I sent a truss each of Remus and Jeanne d’Arc, both 
alike beautiful. Grapes were cut from the same house in August 
and the Vines have thoroughly ripened. 
I also send a Camellia bloom. For some years back the plants 
have been grown throughout the winter months in a tempera¬ 
ture of 50° to 55°, and have in no one instance behaved as 
“ Scotchman ” represents they do. With plenty of healthy 
roots, and well supplied with water, there is no fear of buds 
dropping. 
I also take the opportunity to send some spikes of Lily of the 
Valley); home-grown like that “ R. P. B.” refers to in a late 
number. You will see there are two distinct varieties both in 
foliage and flower, a weakly spray with nine buds of one kind 
being as effective from a “market” view as one with twelve 
buds on the other. I find a dressing of soil and chemical manure 
applied to the surface of the soil after the foliage has decayed 
to be a great assistance to the spikes and foliage. The foliage 
is also better for being thinned out when it becomes thick.— 
A Nor’-Easter. 
[The flowers sent were in every respect highly satisfactory.—E d.] 
Advice to Young Gardeners. —I read with pleasure the con¬ 
tributions on this subject in your Journal. If gardeners, both old 
and young, would read more and be satisfied to attend to their home 
and domestic duties they would be better and happier men. Too 
many gardeners only wait and watch the moment they can get away 
from their business in order that they may join some convivial meet¬ 
ing of their friends, thus leaving no time for improving themselves 
by reading. The end of such must be poverty in old age, and for 
the present bad results in their garden, and children uneducated 
